NFL Championship Weekend Preview

No one was waiting for these picks, seeing how good I have been the last couple of weeks, just call me Bill Simmons. Just in case though, here are my thoughts on the AFC and NFC Championship games.

Philadelphia vs. Arizona

Both teams surprised last weekend with wins. Philadelphia went into arch rival Giant Stadium and beat the defending Super Bowl champions. Arizona defended their home turf and for the first time in franchise history advanced to the championship game.

Copy and pasted from my last two weekends are my thoughts on the Eagles, "coach Andy Reid will blow a game with a missed call, whether it be a time-out, challenge, or QB sneak" and QB Donovan McNabb will finally blow up and make the mistakes he was committing until week 11. However, the real "swing vote" player in this game for the Eagles on the offensive side of the ball is Brian Westbrook. He has been averaging 1.9 yds per touch and if he can get loose and create offense for the Philadelphians look for them to book their plane tickets to Tampa. On defense, can the Eagles corners keep up with weapons of the Cardinals. Asante Samuel likes to jump routes, but he will have to play more at home when facing these wideouts.

Onto the other birds - the Cardinals - will close the roof to University of Phoenix Stadium to ensure the full effect of home field advantage is in place. If QB Kurt Warner gets time in the pocket and is able to scan the field and find his two big time players in WR Larry Fitzgerald and WR Anquan Boldin it will be a good day for the team in red. On defense, look for Cards to play things safe, unlike Jim Johnson's Eagles - they will play straight up and keep everything in front of them and rely on McNabb to make the bad read and poor decision.

In the end - Kurt Warner has promised his kids a puppy if he wins the Super Bowl, you can't bet against the power of the puppy...

Pick;

Arizona 27 vs. Philadelphia 13

Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh

A rookie QB has won two playoff road games and everyone is waiting for the now famous "unibrow" to collapse under the weight of expectations. Pittsburgh keeps preserving and winning the tough, hard fought football games that their defense keeps them in and the offense just does enough.

The key to this game for the Ravens will be the health of some of their main men. LB/DL Terrell Suggs, WR Mark Clayton and WR Derrick Mason, all have bumps and bruises due to the fact the Ravens had their bye week early in the season and haven't had a chance to rest any of their sores. The weather will be bad and ball security will be big for QB Joe Flacco and the tandem in the backfield.

The Steelers defense is stingy, led by defensive player of the year James Harrison, the offense has turned it around in recent weeks by finding their running game behind a healthy "Fast" Willie Parker (on a sidenote, he killed my fantasy team this year) and that big o-line.

This game will be a hard fought game with few points that will come down to big plays. Is Flacco able to hit Clayton on a deep pass or can Ben drop one into the lap of Nate Washington? Look for the Steelers to hold court and advance to Tampa.

Pick;

Pittsburgh 13 vs. Baltimore 7

Snack of the Week

Since the games are at 3pm and 6:30pm this week, the snack of the week has to alter its course slightly. You can't just have something to tide you over until dinner, you need something of substance.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Processed cheese is yummy, there is no arguing that point. All you can argue is if it actually qualifies as a food. Once toasted and warm, dipped in ketchup, it is very satisfying. Served with some potato chips (see, snack of the week during the wild card weekend preview) and a glass of chocolate milk and you are in for a treat.